Brady Tkachuk was still the 2nd highest scoring draft eligible player in the NCAA behind only Quinn Hughes, IIRC. Don't worry Z, I doubt he will drop to 8 given that Bobby Mac rated him #3 overall today.....as for reuniting Panarin-Kane..yes, I would give up nearly anything to have the pleasure of watching the magic of 72+88 on the ice together again. What a travesty to trade that player.
- EnzoD

That is only about 15% of all Fresh are draft eligible correct? What is the cutoff? for both when you are draft eligible and when you are High school FR? Aug 1st to Mid Sept? I also think his numbers should be better.

There's a trade to consider...I was think today that I was Lincoln Ave. eating lunch next to Biograph the trade(s) flashed on the TV screen.
Now I have been around for JR getting bounced, at the game when one my friends talked to old man Wirtz and he was boasting about the great return they just got (during the game, of Dahlin, back up goalie Chris Terreri and the soon to be star defenseman Mickel (sp) Sykora) but seeing that Panarin and Hammer were traded for players far less than them in Saad & Murphy.

I was a sad day, it really closed the era for me.

All this talk about Tavares and these other signings, hell I am hoping the clear space and bread man comes home.
- wiz1901

What do you think would be a viable trade? If Chicago were to trade for him, it would have to be something really good for our side, because the last Panarin trade to send him out has been a black mark so far.

Speaking of asset Management...that very high 2nd round pick StanBo gifted to MTL with Danault for (frank)ing Weise and 38yr old Fleischmann...

- EnzoD

I say let go...any team going into the playoff and thinks it needs a bit more veteran depth...will alway try and make trades like that...
you don't know if Hartman or Stastny or Fleischmann margarine and Weise win you it, but going for it will always be the path teams take.

and besides Danault is bottom six wing, no matter where they HAVE to play him in Montreal.

Bowman will take another tiny dman in Hughes or Boquist and I will drink myself to sleep on Friday night

- EnzoD

Enzo, you better get to work on Eklund's new report thet Hawks trying to acquire the rights to JVR. I'm going out to play golf, expect a full update when I return.

JJ

Heard just now Hawks in trade talks with Ottawa. Player unnamed, “might be a Center.”
- walleyeb1

if they could flip the first rounds and send Anisimov there with Hossa salary, bingo.

I dont understand why so many want Pageau

30pts, small center for 3.1mil per??
- PatShart

me either...

I definitely think Panarin is first and foremost about the money. I think that was reason number one he came to North America. I don't think there is necessarily anything wrong with it, because it is the business, but I don't think he will be taking any discounts. That said, I don't think it is his only concern. It must be difficult for anyone to go to a different country/culture when you only have basic language skills and be a visible leader. I hope he does well, but I don't think we'll see him back here unless he somehow really likes Patrick Kane that much.
- breadbag

Another consideration on the "bring back Bread" train, rumor has it he is delaying contract talks because his beloved grandfather is ill and he may need to/want to return to Russia to care for him. Not sure how much credence to put in that rumor, but hard choice for the kid if so, considering their history together.

I disagree with you that big aggressive power forwards should not be held to the same test. I submit that players like Tkachuk who have had their skill level questioned should be looked at even more critically. You see in the extra year whether a previously unseen skill level appears - you are looking for the player’s potential ceiling.

I don’t want Tkachuk. I also don’t want Dobson or Bouchard. I like Hughes. High-end skill, high-end skating. Played at Worlds against professionals. Already knows, respects Kane. I also like Merkley - a lot! Can’t wait for Friday.
- Z3Hawk

Clearly you try and find the beast.
The 2nd gen kid in Boston Jake DeBrusk great example
The waiting on Jake Virtanen in Vancouver..
Minnesota's Alex Tuch who blossomed late in Vegas.

I think the power forward position takes time and when the results start coming the confidence spikes.

I think Tkachuk is a just what they hawks need, as is Hughes.
I can't believe either is going to be there.

Yeah I can't believe Merkley lingers long, I am not sure if he goes where I him, in slot 16 where I have him or he is gone the 50's.

The thing to remember, is, some teams have taken him completely off their lists, so that means there are some teams you don't have to worry about make him their pick.

I think there may be some talent there at 27 slot so the hawks will have a decision to make between some quality alternatives...

Enzo, you better get to work on Eklund's new report thet Hawks trying to acquire the rights to JVR. I'm going out to play golf, expect a full update when I return.
- RickJ

Hawks need three Top 4 Defenseman and are basically in a rebuild stage. Soooo let's sign a UFA 30 yr old winger....

I say let go...any team going into the playoff and thinks it needs a bit more veteran depth...will alway try and make trades like that...
you don't know if Hartman or Stastny or Fleischmann margarine and Weise win you it, but going for it will always be the path teams take.

and besides Danault is bottom six wing, no matter where they HAVE to play him in Montreal.
- wiz1901

You don't see Danault as a 3C? He was playing 1C in MTL for large portions of the season.....

TRade Proposal:

Chicago trades hossa AA 2020 1st and 2018 3rd and gus/rutta

Ottawa trades

mark stone Borowiecki pageau

Sign Stone 5 years 4- 5 million per year

Thoughts? Not a chance needs a tweak or two or very good chance it happens and with Ottawa fire sale why would stone sign there.

TRade the 27th pick and 2019 4th for lowery and charoit

wiz you seem to have some misconceptions concerning how Bob McKenzie at TSN works. McKenzie is extremely well respected and well connected around the NHL. His Draft information is not his own information or his own opinions. When he speaks he is speaking on behalf of a powerful group of top NHL Scouts and Management. Know how I know? He says so. That is why he has been so accurate.
- Z3Hawk

I actually do know that Bobby is just lining up the "facts" from a closed group of his scouting friends and packaging it as his draft list.

I know it because it is my goal each year to me MORE accurate than his list.
Did it once.
I tied (with the same four first round misses) once,
but usually they are on task up to around pick 50.

BUT....this year is actually different and he said so too...really divergent opinions on whether to go with the guys who are ranked (and ranked different by each NHL team) in terms of best player available or the need based selections.


That's why this so fun...the posts from the last two blogs will be here to look back on, see what everyone said and how it shook out.

It is silly to quibble over dee or forward or Zadina over Brady, because in 200 hours we see what the true professions sought out and selected as their best opinions, not yours, Bobby McKenzies, or mine.

TRade Proposal:

Chicago trades hossa AA 2020 1st and 2018 3rd and gus/rutta

Ottawa trades

mark stone Borowiecki pageau

Sign Stone 5 years 4- 5 million per year

Thoughts? Not a chance needs a tweak or two or very good chance it happens and with Ottawa fire sale why would stone sign there.

TRade the 27th pick and 2019 4th for lowery and charoit
- Scott1977

If you want to make a significant trade with Ottawa for some of their best talent just float out the idea that you are willing to take Bobby Ryan as part of the deal. Eugene Melnyk will have an Uber driver ready to drive him to the airport. The owner's goal is have a 23 man roster of players on ELC's

Oh I hope that some other team mistakenly takes Brady early. It will take a while to confirm but Brady is going to be a monumental bust. I’ll be nice about it when it happens.

Nobody seems to notice that Panarin is being a complete a$$ to Columbus. For me not a surprise as Panarin is always all about Panarin. That being the case his only concern is $. Such a Leader. Don’t forget that Panarin is older now too. I think the Hawks should either just be all in and pay him more than McDavid or never discuss him again ever. Think they are in the 2nd category.
- Z3Hawk

Panarin's honesty was probably evident before the hawks traded him and they knew what was coming...he may be lonely, or not like Torts, or sure just wants to make as much as he can, his right as an American (gulp)

Enzo, you better get to work on Eklund's new report thet Hawks trying to acquire the rights to JVR. I'm going out to play golf, expect a full update when I return.
- RickJ

For what it's worth, I just heard the same thing this afternoon.

Hawks really want to snag JVR early and Dubas is itching to make an impact here in Toronto.

wiz you seem to have some misconceptions concerning how Bob McKenzie at TSN works. McKenzie is extremely well respected and well connected around the NHL. His Draft information is not his own information or his own opinions. When he speaks he is speaking on behalf of a powerful group of top NHL Scouts and Management. Know how I know? He says so. That is why he has been so accurate.
- Z3Hawk

Bob mcKrnzie doesn't do the grunt work of studying tape, comparing and noticing improvement from year to year. Wiz has done that for around 30 years.

McKenzie constructs his lists based on other lists he looks at. Then McKrnzie talks to scouts and people in the hockey community. The ratings and spot on a list for players then goes up or down. I believe wiz has a higher accuracy rate all or most years than McKenzie, although lately it is close. You should respect wiz more.

And yes wiz personally knows a lot of hockey people. He has spoken with scouts and management people at the drafts. Going way back.

I do not think for one second wiz is thinking or comparing himself to some GM. Wiz is just trying to ultimately have the best, most accurate review. When wiz calls out someone - at least in the Tallon loosing two good players to expansion (see Steve Rain post) - wiz is merely pointing out mistakes. If anyone wants to think of wiz how Rain suggests, that is their perogative. I have met and spent some time getting to know wiz. I witness his passion and hear about his countless hours developing opinion and some of that is based upon tape, not McKenzie's ways

But if wiz chooses he can defend himself. I have also briefly met Steve Rain, and I believe he is a knowledgeable hockey fan. I do not believe you are viewing this thing with wiz correctly, Steve Rain.

Anyway, when St Louis, Ottawa, Arizona and Chicago each can reach for a Runsblad, clearly mistake in judgment can be made. With Tzachuck, Z3, I think you are overblown with your repetitive claims about his talent. Your point is clear and it is a very good point.

But you have to consider the impact on the line he plays on, as well as the impact another top offensive line has IF you draft him. Two different type of lines. Where else you get a combination nasty and the type style he plays? I am more interested in what Tzachuk could become than what his offensive totals were so far as a collegiate.

I also question whether Bowman acquires any more grit or power forward type if he, indeed, drafts Tzachuk. He might just ride out Martinsen and possibly Samuelson's kid (whom had really been coming along nicely at Rockford).

Yes, there is a concern with Tzachuk attitude if he does not make the team right away. And while he has less ability than others when our pick comes, it is not necessarily a bad choice if we take him.

I am not going to say I would take Tzachuk, I will say I might instead choose the Finn or Walstrom. But I am not buying cut and dried that Tzachuk is a terrible choice. I am curious, too, if Arizona might decide he is what they need.

Well it is all flushed away if we really do sign JVR. If that happens, would you think there is any reason TVR returns as a replacement for one of our many third pair/depth guys?

Oh I hope that some other team mistakenly takes Brady early. It will take a while to confirm but Brady is going to be a monumental bust. I’ll be nice about it when it happens..
- Z3Hawk

I am gonna save this post in my files, Z3Hawk, because I am thoroughly convinced he is the best the entire family has to offer.

Now both our opinions are out there (Mine has been in my DraftSite profiles for months), and some one is going to incorrect...

For what it's worth, I just heard the same thing this afternoon.

Hawks really want to snag JVR early and Dubas is itching to make an impact here in Toronto.
- Justin Lowe

If the Hawks do land JVR, the trade for TVR will soon follow. To placate Q.

You don't see Danault as a 3C? He was playing 1C in MTL for large portions of the season.....
- EnzoD

you know why that was...

Hawks need three Top 4 Defenseman and are basically in a rebuild stage. Soooo let's sign a UFA 30 yr old winger....
- EnzoD

I know really.

For what it's worth, I just heard the same thing this afternoon.

Hawks really want to snag JVR early and Dubas is itching to make an impact here in Toronto.
- Justin Lowe

If they sign JVR I can see Saad heading elsewhere.

If they sign JVR I can see Saad heading elsewhere.
- RickJ

I wouldnt be so quick to move Saad. Guy is a beast. He like the rest of that team, just had a schit year.

Tallon answered my earlier question on did he talk to his team captain prior to the deal:

Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said he spoke to the Senators last week regarding a trade for Hoffman but said the asking price was too high. Tallon said he was contacted by San Jose on Monday regarding a trade for Hoffman should they acquire him from Ottawa.

"We looked at the deal and we felt that this would be a perfect fit for our team," Tallon said. "He's 28, he can score, he can skate, he's got a cannon for a shot. He'll be a good fit for our team moving forward. We missed the playoffs by a point. I thought that we needed to add some offense and some speed and skill to our lineup, and this turns out to be the fit for us."

Tallon said he is not concerned about any off-ice issues with Hoffman.

"We did our homework and we discussed it with a lot of different people," Tallon said. "We feel that that's in the past and the distractions. We have a strong culture down there now, and I think talking with Mike and all the parties that it will work out to our benefit.

"I talked to some of our players, yeah. I had no pushback at all. He played with [Jonathan] Huberdeau in Saint John (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) and our staff, (senior adviser to president of hockey operations) Chris Pronger and (director of player personnel Bryan) McCabe are well-connected and know a lot of people that know him. We had multiple conversations in the last week. I trust my guys, I trust my staff, and here we are."

For what it's worth, I just heard the same thing this afternoon.

Hawks really want to snag JVR early and Dubas is itching to make an impact here in Toronto.
- Justin Lowe

Moves like this (if completed), along with his track record since 2015, are why I have zero faith in Stan Bowman re-creating a Stanley Cup Contender. Every asset he has should be used towards rebuilding quite possibly the worst Defense group in the entire NHL last season. Instead, he is going after a 30yr old winger with diminishing footspeed looking to cash in as a UFA..after he re-signed and gave raises to 2 of the key pieces in that dogpoop defense group in Rutta and Gustafson...it makes NO SENSE! DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!

I actually do know that Bobby is just lining up the "facts" from a closed group of his scouting friends and packaging it as his draft list.
- wiz1901

I don't follow. This is well known. McKenzie clearly states that “his” list is only an average of 10 other lists – compiled by 10 unnamed NHL scouts. Nothing more, nothing less, he doesn't have any personal input other than the fact that it's these 10 guys he knows and not somebody else providing their lists. It is “his” only for the marketing purposes of Mr. McKenzie and TSN, no decision making on his part in the sense of evaluating/ranking the players. Button's list, on the other hand…